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[Olympia5776]

Is the inertia operation on seat belts related to the axis that the seat belt coil is mounted ?
Let me explain my plight.
My car failed its NCT ( MOT ) today due to centre seat belt on rear of the estate not being able to be pulled out.
Now after examining the belt mechanism I see the problem. Inside the rear seat upright there are several bowden cables that run from the catch release button. About a year ago the button on my 40% seat seized down preventing the seat being able to be locked .After looking at it and being amazed at the complexity of it I removed the cables from the catch and replaced it with a steel pin .Unfortunatly I now discover that the seat belt is also connected into this "system " and cannot be released . I thought about replacing the original ( which is now in bits on the garage floor  ) with one I can get from a Vectra but I am now wondering if the vectra rear belt which  sits in line with car will work as the original obviousy sits across the axis of the car.
Warning , if your catch seizes on an estate persevere until you free it.  

[Darth Loo-knee]

I used to fit some seatbeats into coaches a few years ago and it did matter to what angle you put the real, wouldn't have thought they would have changed that much but I could be wrong...

[markey mark]

I used to fit some seatbeats into coaches a few years ago and it did matter to what angle you put the real, wouldn't have thought they would have changed that much but I could be wrong...

they must of they are handed and sit at funny angles !!

[motmann]

yes bud we have a lot of trouble with rear belts in the workshop on mot tests, ford mondeo center belt the worst! sometimes if the seat is as little as 5/10 degrees away from were it should be (locked in posision) it wont let the belt out!  

[davlad22]

How about trying to find a complete replacement rear seat back. It all seems a complex affair and when safety's involved, I wouldn't go skimping or trying to bodge. I also don't think a vectra system will fit, a vectra has a much smaller back seat and the omega system looks a much beefier setup.

.....until it goes wrong  

[Olympia5776]

How about trying to find a complete replacement rear seat back. It all seems a complex affair and when safety's involved, I wouldn't go skimping or trying to bodge. I also don't think a vectra system will fit, a vectra has a much smaller back seat and the omega system looks a much beefier setup.

.....until it goes wrong  

I am pursuing that option as we speak but these cars are very very rare over in Ireland. Unfortunatley the weight of the seat back due to it being basically a steel plate makes it prohibitivley expensive to be shipped from UK.I contacted the local GM dealer and asked for a price for the seat belt itself ,he said that he would have to get back to me as he didn't know what I wanted.
I must emphasise that I have no intention in bodging the car .I have a Vectra rear seat belt here ,it is identical except for the fact that is the wrong orientation for operation. This prevents it from being fitted as the test inspector has to check it's proper operation. Unwound it is actually 100mm longer than the Omega item and the brackets etc. are suitable for installation.
Living here in remote SW Ireland has it's disadvantages insofar as sourcing good quality components from late model vehicles in breakers yards. :(It'isn't like UK and you have to learn to be adaptive and it's surprising how many components are interchangeable between GM models.
Thanks for all the replies It is always great to get some help when you're in the middle of your hour of need.
Don

[davlad22]

I'm sure it would probably be worth pursuing a few ebay adverts for people breaking cars and see if they can give you an idea of shipping costs from UK. We also have a lack of facelift estates being broken in the uk but stick with it mate, all will come good!